Party tent

ABSTRACT

A party-tent has a frame that includes: a desirable number of erecting vertical corner-member which constructed by two coupled panels vertically erecting on the ground with a predetermined intersect angle, the equal number of cross-members being connected to/and between the two adjacent corner-members which have a multi-way connector at the up-most point of the intersect-line of two coupled panels, a roof member including a central multi-way connector from which there are plurality of ribs radially extending to and connected with the peripheral multi-direction connectors. All said connections are one-touch assembling without any screw-type engagement, so that the assembling and patching of the party-tent outdoor become more quickly and more conveniently.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a) for ChinesePatent Application No. 03256025.7, filed Jul. 28, 2003, titled“Party-Tent.”

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a tent or canopy. Inparticular, the present invention relates to a large “party” tent foroutdoor use. It can be called “one-touch” quickly assembling collapsibletent without utilize any screw-type or threaded connecting member.

BACKGROUND

The “party-tent” or other large tents are used for various events andoccasions to provide a cover for people. When dealing with large tents,a large number of labor-hours are generally needed to set up the tent,therefore there is a need for a new party-tent frame design that can beeasily and quickly assembled by a small number of people. Inconventional installation of a party-tent, there are many kinds ofscrews or bolts being necessary which are different sized. The troubleis frequently aroused owing to some screw members being lost. So suchdesign is well liked that there is no need utilize any tools such asscrew driver in the installation of the tent.

SUMMARY

According to the present invention a large quickly assembling “party”tent for outdoor use comprises a desirable number of erecting verticalcorner-member which constructed by two coupled panels verticallyerecting on the ground with an predetermined intersect angle; and equalnumber of horizontal cross-members being connected to/and between theadjacent corner-members which have two coupled panels and a multi-wayconnector at the uppermost place of the intersect-line of said twocoupled panels; a roof member including a central multi-way connectorfrom which there are plurality of radially arranged ribs downwardlyextending to and connected with the multi-direction connectors on upperplane of the erecting vertical corner-member, and the horizontal crossedbar member.

The horizontal crossed-bar member is extensible by releasable insertconnection between two tubular members through one-touch assembling.Each corner member connect with the adjacent corner member through oneor more crossed member.

The erecting vertical corner-member is the support member of the tent.The number of the corner-members preferably is four or more whichcorresponds with the number of the wall of the tent. The said wall iswind-through and rare-shut by making the panels of the corner memberinto the grille or with special pattern screen. It is especiallysuitable for summer use.

The erecting vertical corner-member has two rectangular panels adjoiningeach other along its vertically intersecting line by releasable couplingmember, which defines and maintain a predetermined open-angletherebetween. When said angle intersected by two panels of thecorner-member is 90°, the tent becomes rectangular tent. If said angleis 60°, then the tent will become hexangonal. If the number of thecorner member and cross member is 5 or 7, thus the shape of the tentbecomes pentagon or heptagon.

Each rectangular panel has at least two vertical erecting tubes as asupport member. Along with the intersected-line of two panels there areat least two places of the vertical erecting tubes, at which thereleasable coupling means are disposed. This is a kind of one-touchreleasable coupling member which being a paired fastener. It has ahorizontal pin with an expanded head at its distal end which projectingoutwardly from the erecting surface of the vertical the supporting tubeof the panel, and it simultaneously has an opening with a longitudinalthrough groove having a expanded round through-opening at the uppermostend of thereof, which located on the erecting surface of the supportingtube of the other panel of same corner member for receiving thehorizontal pin to form coupling relationship therebetween.

In the operation of pitching tent, first and second panel of one cornermember are coupled joining together and erecting on the ground, whilelet the horizontal pin located on an erecting surface of a supportingtube of first panel insert into the through-groove having an expandedround through-opening on its top place, which located on an erectingsurface of a supporting tube of second panel of the same corner member.

At the ground end of said corner member there is an angular-shapedfixing member which is a rigid bend bar with three or four upwardprojections which insert in the corresponding downward openings of theerecting tubes of two panels of the corner member for fixing andmaintaining the open-angle intersected by two panels of the same cornermember.

At the top end of the corner member there is a multi-direction connectorprovided for receiving two horizontal crossed members at two differentdirections and one inclined roof rib through one-touch assembling. Themulti-direction connector is disposed on the top plane of the cornermember and is constructed by a plurality of tubes, which are intersected/and connected into a joint point at its one ends while its oppositeends radially extending outward from the intersected point to forming athree-dimension rigid multi-direct connector.

As to the roof member, each roof rib forming a frame of first roof coverand a shot roof rib forming a frame of second roof-cover composed overthe first roof-cover are joined together by two perpendicularspacer-bars therebetween through using mortise-tenon combination orhinged linkage connection. The covers preferably are made of flexibleand resilience material.

The roof rib may have different lengths. The longer is used forconnection between central multi-way connector located at the center ofthe roof and peripheral multi-direction connector over the cornermembers, while the short roof rib may be connecting means betweencentral multi-way connector and central point of the crossed bar overthe corner member.

Two intersected panels of a corner member may have a horizontaltriangular reinforcement plate between the spaces defined by two panelsat desirable height. The triangular reinforcement plate can has onefence joining together to form a triangular three-dimension space withtwo panels for accommodating flower like ornamental items. Thereinforcement plate can be a triangular grille plate. And the fence mayalso be grille plate.

All peripheral walls of the tent have broad entrance gate. Theproportion of the width of panels to the width of the entrance gate mayranges from 1:2 to 1:4 or more. The panels are grille or with specialpattern screen. Each of two panels of the same corner member consists ofat least two erecting tubes as frame members, at least one of which hasan upward opening on its top plane for accommodating a downwardinserting leg of a multi-direction connector disposed on the top planeof the corner member. The other erecting tube forming the same panelframe as a supporting member has an insert-type fastener at the topplace of thereupon. A crossed member is connected between two adjacentcorner members on the top plane thereupon. One end of the crossed memberconnects to the corresponding horizontal tube of the multi-directionconnector through a insert connection. The crossed member is directlydisposed on top plane of the corner member and firmly connected joiningtogether with the panel thereunder through the construction of “groovingand tonguing” connection. The connection between the crossed member andthe erecting tube thereunder may be the insert-fastener coupling. Thetwo covers may be constructed from pieces of material that are sized andconfigured to provide a smooth, taut cover in the expanded mode. Whenthe framework is pitched the cover may be attached to the framework bycover connecting members, which may be the spurs or hooks positioned atthe downward end of the roof ribs. The cover is flexible, which may bemade of a polyester material or other suitable material that may resistwater, fire, and ultraviolet. The tent covering is tensioned onto theframe proving a tight aesthetically pleasing appearance.

All frame members are preferably constructed from aluminum tubing. Thetent is well in providing shade and shelter in a temporary situation. Iteasy to pitch and easily transported and stored, requiring minimalspace.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of the first embodiment showing the tent with twocovers.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of presentinvention

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the first embodiment with an enlargeddrawing showing the connection relationship of the two panels forming acorner member.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the corner member of the presentinvention showing the connection relationship of two panels forming theperipheral walls in which the corner member being reinforced by adding atriangular horizontal plate between two panels.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the corner member of the presentinvention showing a triangular horizontal reinforcement plate forming aspace with two panels by adding an erecting plate.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of central roof multi-connector usingone-touch by tenon and mortise joint.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of ground frame for fixing and maintainingthe open angle between two panels.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a multi-direct connector which beingplaced on the upper plane of the corner member,

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the peripheral wall reflecting theconnection relationship of the crossed-bar member.

FIG. 10 is as same as FIG. 9 reflecting the finished the connectionrelationship of the crossed-bar member.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the corner member reflecting theconnection relationship between panels, multi-direction connector,

FIG. 12 is a perspective view (with enlarged drawing showing therelationship between cross bar and erecting tubs of a panel) of thecorner member.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a bar member.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a bar member with extensible slidingbar,

FIG. 15 is a front view of a rib member forming roof frame for twolayers of the covers.

FIG. 16 is a front view of a rib member with a hook at the downward endthereof, being used for fixing top cover.

FIG. 17 is an elevation view of a panel of a corner member withone-touch connection means at the top place of two erecting tubes of apanel.

DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 illustrate the elevation views of a preferredembodiment of the present invention. The construction of a quickerecting party-tent in accordance with the preferred embodimentincludes: a large quickly assembling “party” tent for outdoor use (Referto FIG. 3) comprises number of four erecting vertical corner-member 9which constructed by two coupled panels 10 vertically erecting on theground with an predetermined intersect angle 90°; and equal number ofhorizontal cross-members 23 being connected to/and between the adjacentcorner-members 9 which have two coupled panels 10 and a multi-directionconnector 4 at the uppermost place of the intersect-line of said twocoupled panels 10; a roof member including a central multi-way connector1 from which there are plurality of radially arranged ribs 3 downwardlyextending to and connected with the multi-direction connectors 4 onupper plane of the erecting vertical corner-member 9, and the horizontalcrossed bar member 23.

The horizontal crossed-bar member 23 is extensible by using releasableinsert connection between two tubular members through one-touchassembling (see FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 and FIG. 12). Each corner member 9connects with the adjacent corner member 9 through one or more crossedmember 23. The crossed member is increased its length by combining twobar member 23 and 24 with its hole and tongue construction. FIG. 13illustrates a bar of a cross member 23 which has a fastener 34 on theerecting surface thereof used for connecting to a tongue 33 disposed atthe top place of the erecting tub 12, and which has a connecting hole 36at one end of the bar 23 faced to the tongue 35 (a projector block)forming a insert connection between the bar 23 and the erecting tub 11.FIG. 14 showing a optional cross bar 23, which has two connectingfastener 34 on an erecting surface thereof, and which has an elongatedsliding bar 24 inserted within the elongating internal hole of the bar23 for forming a connection with another cross bar. FIG. 17 illustratesa panel 10 of a corner member 8, which the erecting verticalcorner-member 9 is the support member of the tent. The said wall 10 iswind-through by using grille panel 13.

FIG. 3 illustrated that the erecting vertical corner-member 9 has tworectangular panels 10 adjoining each other along its verticallyintersecting line by releasable coupling member, which comprise anone-touch paired fastener, and within which there are a horizontal pin21 projecting outwardly from an erecting surface of the verticalsupporting tube 12 of the first panel and an opening 22 foraccommodating the pin 21 on an erecting surface of the tube 11.

Each rectangular panel 10 of the corner member 9 has at least twovertical erecting tubes 11,12 as a support member. A tube 12 has aninsert-type fastener 33 at the top place of along with theintersected-line of two panels there are two different heights at whichthe releasable coupling means 21,22 are disposed for coupling two grillepanels joining together (see FIG. 3). The coupling means comprised apaired one-touch insert fasteners, of which there is a horizontal pin 21having an expanded head at the distal end thereof, and a correspondingopening 22 for accommodating the pin 21. The opening 22 is located onthe erecting surface of the supporting tube of adjacent panel at sameheight position corresponding to the position located by the pin 21(refer to the enlarged drawing of FIG. 3). The opening 22 has alongitudinal through groove with an expanded round opening at theuppermost end of thereof In the operation of pitching tent, set firstand second panel 10 joining together through insertion of a pairedone-touch insert fasteners, and erecting on the ground, while let thehorizontal pin which is located on an erecting surface of a supportingtube 12 of first panel 10 insert in the opening (through-groove) 22which is disposed on an erecting surface of a supporting tube 11 ofsecond panel 10.

At the ground end of said corner member 9 there is an intersect-anglefixing member 8 of the corner member 9 between two panels 10 of onecorner member 9, which is a rigid bend bar with three upward projections18, 19, 20 (see FIG. 7) for inserting in the lowest downward openings ofthe erecting tubes 11,12 of two panels 10 of said corner member 9 forfixing and maintaining the intersect-angle therebetween.

At the top end of said corner member 9 there is a multi-directionconnector 4 provided for receiving two horizontal crossed members atdifferent directions and one inclined roof rib 3 through one-touchtenon-mortise connection (See FIG. 8 and FIG. 11). The multi-directionconnector 4 is disposed on the top plane of the corner member 9 and isconstructed by three tubes 5,6,7 which are intersected into a point atits one end and with its opposite ends radiate extending outwardly fromthe intersect-point to forming a three-dimension rigid multi-directionconnector 4. The connector 4 is used for connection of the corner member9 to a roof-frame member 3. And the connector 4 also is used forconnecting the corner member 9 to the crossed-bar 23, which may have twodownwardly extending member 16,17 for inserting into the upward hole14,15 of the erecting tubs 11,12 (refer to FIG. 11).

The roof member comprising a multi-way connector 1 (refer to FIG. 2 andFIG. 6) disposed at the center point of the roof, from which there areplurality of roof ribs 3 extend downwardly. Each roof rib 3 whichforming a frame of first roof cover 24, and a shot roof rib 26 toforming a frame of second roof-cover 25 disposed over the firstroof-cover 24 are joined together by two spacer-bars 30. The cover 24,25 preferably are made of flexible and resilience material. The roof ribmay have different lengths. The longer 3 is used for connection betweencentral multi-way connector 1 located at the center of the roof withperipheral multi-direction connector 4 over the corner members, whilethe short roof rib 31 may be the perpendicularly connecting meansbetween central multi-way connector 1 and central point of crossed bar23 over the corner member 9.

FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 illustrated that two intersected panels 10 of a cornermember 9 may have a horizontal triangular reinforcement plate N betweenthe space defined by two panels 10 at desirable height. The triangularreinforcement plate N can has one fence J to form a triangularthree-dimension space with two panels 10 for accommodating flower potlike ornamental items (not shown). The reinforcement plate N is atriangular grille plate. And the fence J may also be grille plate.

All peripheral walls of the tent are wind-through, and have broadentrance gate 32 thereon. The proportion of the width of panels to thewidth of the entrance gate 32 may is 1:2. The panels 10 are grille orwith special patterned screen. Each of two panels 10 consists of atleast two erecting tubes 11,12 and many horizontal bars 13 which jointlyform a grille panel 10 of a corner member 9. FIG. 12 is a perspectiveview of the corner member showing the connection relationship betweentwo crossed-bar members 24,23 and panels. The length of the crossedmember may be extended by combining two bar member 24, 23 with “hole andtonguing” construction.

When the framework is pitched the cover may be attached to the frameworkby cover connector mechanism which includes spur 28 or hook 29positioned at the downward end of the roof ribs. The cover 24, 25 isflexible, which may be made of a kind of polyester material or othersuitable material that may resist water, fire, and ultraviolet.

The party-tent of the present invention for outdoor use is capable ofquick pitching without using any screw-type engagement and special toolssuch as screw-driver and pipe-wrench.

Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has beendisclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art willappreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions arepossible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the inventionas disclosed in the accompanying claims.

1. A party-tent for outdoor use capable of quick-pitching without usingany screw-type engagement comprising: a desirable number of erectingvertical corner-members which constructed by two coupled panelsvertically erecting on the ground with an predetermined intersect angle;equal number of horizontal cross-members being connected to/and betweenthe two adjacent corner-members which have two coupled panels and amulti-direction connector at the uppermost place of the intersect-lineof said two coupled panels; and a roof member including a centralmulti-way connector from which there are plurality of ribs radiallydownward extending to and connected with the multi-direction connectorson upper plane of the erecting vertical corner member.
 2. A party-tentfor outdoor use as defined in claim 1 in which the horizontalcross-member is extensible by insert connection between two tubularmembers aligned along a common axis thereof.
 3. A party-tent for outdooruse as defined in claim 1 in which the erecting vertical corner-memberhas two rectangular panels adjoining each other along its verticallyintersecting line by releasable coupling member, which define andmaintain a predetermined open-angle therebetween.
 4. A party-tent foroutdoor use as defined in claim 1 or 3 in which the said intersectedangle between two panels of one corner member is an angle of 90° degree.5. A party-tent for outdoor use as defined in claim 1 or 3 in which thesaid intersected angle between two panels of one corner member is anangle of 60° degree.
 6. A party-tent for outdoor use as defined in claim1 or 3 in which each rectangular panel has at least two verticalerecting tubes as a support member.
 7. A party-tent for outdoor use asdefined in claim 1 or 3 in which said releasable coupling member is anone-touch assembling paired fastener which have a horizontal pinprojecting outwardly from the erecting surface of the vertical erectingtubes of a panel of a corner member and an opening located on theerecting surface of the tube of another panel of the same corner memberfor receiving said horizontal pin.
 8. A party-tent for outdoor use asdefined in claim 1 or 7 in which said paired fastener for coupling twopanels of said corner member includes a horizontal pin with an expandedhead at the distal end thereof, and its corresponding opening located onanother panel's erecting surface of the tube for receiving said pin headhaving a vertical longitudinal through-groove with a expanded roundthrough-opening at the uppermost end thereof.
 9. A party-tent foroutdoor use as defined in claim 1 in which of said corner members havean angular-shaped fixing member on the ground in combination therewith,having three or four upward projections inserting in the downwardopenings of the erecting tubes of two panels of said corner member forfixing and maintaining the open-angle between two panels of said cornermember.
 10. A party-tent for outdoor use as defined in claim 1 in whichat the top end of said corner member there is an multi-directionconnector provided for receiving two horizontal crossed member and oneinclined roof rib through one-touch assembling.
 11. A party-tent foroutdoor use as defined in claim 1 in which the two roof ribs withdifferent lengths are parallelly spaced apart from each other andcombinded joining together by adding at least two shot-bars orthogonallyintersected therewith.
 12. A party-tent for outdoor use as defined inclaim 1 in which said two intersected panels of said corner member haveat least one horizontal triangular reinforcement plate between the spacedefined by two panels of said corner member at a desirable height.
 13. Aparty-tent for outdoor use as defined in claim 1 in which the proportionof the width of panels to the width of the entrance gate ranges from 1:2to 1:4.
 14. A party-tent for outdoor use as defined in claim 1 in whicheach roof rib forming a frame of first roof cover and a shot roof ribforming a frame of second roof-cover composed over the first roof-coverare joined together by two perpendicular spacer-bars therebetweenthrough using hinged linkage connection.